Cartoon Classics

Allentown Band; Demkee, Ronald

Many of us grew up in a time when we may have been introduced to classical music by watching those classic cartoons. Who can forget hearing Rossini’s Overture to “Barber of Seville” with Bugs Bunny as the “Rabbit of Seville,” or Elmer Fudd in the role of Tannhauser singing to Princess Elizabeth played by Bugs Bunny “What’s Opera Doc?” The ballet by graceful Hippopotamuses dancing to Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours” and the animated Flowers swaying to Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” in Walt Disney’s “Fantasia” are memorable. And then there’s Brahm’s Hungarian Dances used in Merrie Melodies Three Little Pigs in “Pigs Polka.” Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody No 2” was used in both Warner Brothers’ “Rhapsody Rabbit” with Bugs Bunny and also MGM’s “Cat Concerto,” featuring Tom and Jerry. Grieg’s Morning Mood from “Peer Gynt Suite” was used as the theme for television’s The Bugs Bunny Show, and Warner Brothers use of “Blue Danube Waltz,’ by Johann Straus, Jr in Loony Tunes as a parody on Walt Disney’s “Fantasia.” We hope this retrospective of the use of classical music in classic cartoons will bring back fond memories of your own introduction to the genre that may have led to the appreciation of music of substance.

Price: $17.99